Caleb is a brilliant, capable, brave boy, but he's afraid of one thing. Let's find out what it is.

Caleb Clark ... Afraid of the Dark 

Caleb in his bedroom in front of a mirror wearing bright yellow socks and a superhero costume

In a place called Mountain Creek was a boy, both slick and sleek. Built like an Ox, quick as a fox. He wore spandex and fluoro socks.

His name was Caleb Leeroy Clark,
afraid of nothing…

… but the dark.

Caleb Clark

Caleb with his head on his pillow, eyes wide open, imagining strange creatures in a dark room

People thought him fit and frightless; a boy like Caleb Clark was priceless; bold and bright, brave like a knight…
until someone turned off the light…

For when they did, poor Caleb feared
all kinds of creatures strange and weird:
creeping, slinking, clanking, clinking… Caleb’s stomach would be sinking.


Caleb's Phobia

Caleb in bed with a brown pillow, while monsters and scary creatures lurk in the shadows

His eyes would dart this way and that; his ears pricked up just like a cat,
tuned into every thump
and bump…
Each unknown sound would make him jump!

In Caleb’s mind, night was the best
condition for a monster fest: big ones and small,
short ones and tall –
But were they real? 


Monsters

Caleb's bedroom dim lighting / zakky sleepin on floor

Real Monsters?

Mum standing in Caleb's room looking worried while Zakky stands beside her / Caleb is in bed

One night, he called out to his Mum:
“There’s monsters in my room! Please, come!”
With a boom, she entered the room,
armed with a saucepan and a broom.

"Well then, where are they?" she implored,
"or is it that you're simply bored?"


Caleb's Mum

Mum working hard in the kitchen at night time, wearing jeans and a blue shirt

“The sounds you hear – it’s only me - washing, scrubbing, and brewing tea;
folding clothes, 
trimming Dad’s toes,
endless work, you know how it goes.”


Mum Speaks

Mum in the laundry in jeans and a blue shirt looking worn out carrying a basket of laundry

 “Rather than worry, here ya go, mate -
All of your school shirts to iron out straight.”
She fussed about going and getting the board, then went to untangle the ironing cord.




Mum gives orders

Caleb in bed pretending to be sleepy while Mum stands beside the bed smiling

Caleb let out a lengthy yawn
and curled up like a well-cooked prawn.

 “Thanks for the offer”, he cheerfully said, 
“but I think I’ll just… sleep instead.
You are quite right,
no monsters tonight.
I’m ready for sleep now. Please turn off the light”.


Caleb speaks

Caleb throwing a ball to Zakky at sundown

From this day forward, Caleb Clark
was no longer scared of the dark –
And neither should you – 
for it is true,
the dark can’t tell you what to do.


Conclusion

Mum's are really much more scary and they are not imaginary.